AL East Links: Jones, Wieters, Ohlendorf, Yankees

Dan Duquette gave reporters (including MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli) a brief update on the state of Adam Jones' possible extension with the Orioles, saying that Jones was a "unique case" that led him to break his policy of not negotiating during the season. “There’s not a lot I can say about it, except I’m encouraged by the fact that Adam wants to stay in Baltimore, we would certainly like him to stay in Baltimore. And hopefully we can work something out here in the short-term," Duquette said. “I don’t have a real timeline on these things, but hopefully we can get something done.”

Some more from around the AL East…

With Jones on the way to an extension, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters told reporters (including Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com) that he isn't concerned about a possible new contract for himself. MLBTR's Mike Axisa examined Wieters as an extension candidate in March, while MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith (via Twitter) speculates that a Wieters deal could be worth $30-35MM over four years.

Also from Ben, he covered the Blue Jays and the Rays today in the latest instalments of MLBTR's 2013 Contract Issues series.

Ross Ohlendorf has pitched well at Triple-A Pawtucket and is a strong candidate to be added to the Red Sox 40-man roster before June 1, writes WEEI.com's Alex Speier. Ohlendorf can opt out of his minor league deal with the Sox if he isn't on the 40-man by that date, though since he has a minor league option left, the team doesn't necessarily have to call him up to the majors.

The Yankees have been relying on their veterans this season as their younger players have largely failed to step up, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. A "person who has worked with both" Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances tells Sherman that the two pitchers have a lack of command on their fastballs and "were overhyped" as prospects.

That shows the difference between offensive and defensive minded catchers.

Molina (GG, vastly defensive) – 5/75m

Montero (switch hit offensive, and not THAT great) – 5/60

Wieters (GG, arguably best defense in game, switch hitter with big offensive potential) – well see

granted, deals arent made on potential…and wieters has only either shown flashes of putting it all together, or separate seasons of monster numbers from opposite sides of the plate. i just feel that hes as sure fire to explode as anyone offensively having ceushed lefties and righties in different seasons. we shall see i guess

Molina and Montero were going to be free agents at the end of this season had they not signed their extensions.

Wieters isn’t a free agent until the end of the 2015 season (per Cot’s).

In other words, if the Orioles do nothing, they get him at arbitration rates, which are significantly cheaper than the deals Molina and Montero signed.

4/35 would be in line with what Wieters would get in arbitration for the next 3-4 years. If the O’s want to buy out free agent years (which I doubt Wieters/Boras would agree to), then they’ll be paying an AAV for those years similar to Montero/Molina’s.

i also think its a moot point, cause we’ll screw it up and wait to sign him after or during his breakout year. i feel that he and Boras probably have enough faith in his abilities to wait it out at least that long.

Weiters is a lot better than Montero. With the bat and glove. Boras knows that and no chance he lets one of his upcoming poster children for ridiculous salary at a particular position go for close to market rate.

He knows can allow Weiters to just ‘walk” his way, ever so slowly upwards of 10m in 2-3 more seasons through the threat of arbitration alone and bust Molina’s 75m deal with ease.

Joel Sherman’s piece is just another schlock article, written just to meet a deadline.
With A-Rod, Jeter,Tex,Granderson,Swisher,Ibanez,Jones, Kuroda,Rivera etc. What ‘younger’ players were the Yankees expecting to step-up?

Was anyone really expecting Gardner,Nunez,Pineda and Hughes to take the mantle and secure a championship? I don’t think so! The Yankees are a veteran or old team, if you like, with big long term contracts, which doesn’t leave room for many young players.Their triple A team is comprised of players that for the most are past the prospect stage and mostly are there for depth.

The rap against Betances and Banuelos is totally unfair and he knows it. As a beat writer he surely knows that both these ‘over-hyped’ pitchers were not expected to see any time with the big club until September, if at that. Both pitchers are seeing a full triple A season for the first time. So, that the Yanks are having to rely on their vets to carry the load is not news.

Sounds like sour grapes if it’s someone who “worked” with them (past tense). Wouldn’t surprise me it was Dave Eiland since KC just visited NYC this week. Wouldn’t want Sherman to actually develop a new source for his unnamed tips. Speaking of sour grapes…Sherman has a few stewing in his gut.

No it doesnt if anything being a yankee prospect means you are less hyped because having all that attention on you means more people report your flaws. Thats why no one is posting reports on james paxton being overhyped